Athens: Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a confidence vote in parliament early today, winning a gamble on his government's survival and the danger of a devastating debt default.
Papandreou won more than the absolute majority of 151 votes he needed in the 300-member legislature to face down an internal party revolt and help him pass deeply disliked austerity measures that have provoked strikes, protests and a slump in his popularity.
The vote was being conducted by roll call after a heated debate that saw sections of the opposition briefly walk out.
A loss would have likely led to early elections and thrown into question whether Greece could pass the new austerity bill by the end of June as demanded by the country's international creditors. Unless the new measures are passed, Greece will not receive the next batch of funds from its bailout loans, and will face a disastrous default.
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